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Exercise to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable people in Bradford

Elderly people training
elderly people training

The Digital Health Enterprise Zone are working with the Bradford Bulls Foundation to support Bradford’s vulnerable communities.

160 men and women are going through the regionally funded ‘Back Onside’ programme with the Bradford Bulls during 2021 and 2022 to help them build resilience and confidence. The 10 week fun and friendly rugby league programme aims to improve the physical health and mindsets of those taking part.

Head of Bradford Bulls Foundation, Paul Mitchell, stated: “We felt it was really important to launch Back Onside at a time when we’re not all necessarily at our peak, physically or mentally.  It provides a fun, sociable environment to encourage people get back on track, and get them enjoying exercise again while giving them the tools and techniques to continue their improvement beyond the programme.” 

Each participant, working with both the University of Bradford Psychologist Dr Ria Vaportzis and Physiotherapist Dr Lisa Edwards, is given an assessment in the  clinical space before and after the programme to find out how their physical and mental wellbeing has been affected by the programme. Participants are also being asked how the programme can be improved.

Data from the programme and interviews with Foundation Partners are being studied by the University’s research team to understand whether community-based physical interventions are effective in supporting people to feel more engaged and less isolated, and hopefully leading to increased employment opportunities for those who are unemployed. The outcomes are intended to be published in academic journals and lead to larger studies.

A big thank you to West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership. Without their fantastic support we wouldn’t have been able to make this a free programme.